Mitsubishi Motors mileage scandal widens, U.S. regulator seeks information

By Naomi Tajitsu and Chang-Ran Kim TOKYO (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Motors Corp's fuel economy scandal broadened on Friday as U.S. auto safety authorities said they were seeking information and after reports that the automaker submitted misleading data on at least one more model than disclosed and likely several more. Japan's sixth-largest automaker admitted this week it had overstated the fuel efficiency of 625,000 cars, wiping off around 40 percent of its market value, or $3.2 billion over three days, and prompting a raid by Japanese authorities on one of its facilities. Adding to fears that the scandal will lead to ballooning compensation and fines, top Japanese government officials said Mitsubishi could be responsible for reimbursing consumers and the government if investigations find the vehicles were not as fuel-efficient as claimed. "This is a serious problem that could lead to the loss of trust in our country's auto industry," Transport Minister Keiichi Ishii told a news conference on Friday. He said he wanted Mitsubishi to look at the possibility of buying back the cars in question. The government would also ask the automaker to pay for any subsidies granted to consumers if data shows its cars do not meet necessary fuel economy standards, Jiji news agency quoted Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi as saying. Domestic media reported that Mitsubishi had submitted misleading mileage data on its i-MiEV electric car, which is also sold overseas. Previously disclosed models are marketed specfically for the Japanese market and Mitsubishi has admitted to manipulating their fuel economy readings. The Sankei newspaper also said the automaker is also suspected of using non-Japanese test methodology on its RVR, Outlander, Pajero and Minicab MiEV models. Mitsubishi had said there may be more models that violate Japanese regulations. A spokesman said on Friday the company was still looking into those models. An official at the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told Reuters the regulator had asked Mitsubishi Motors for information on vehicles sold in the United States. He declined to comment on which models it had requested information on, or whether it had requested data from other automakers. Shares in Mitsubishi fell as much as 16 percent to a record low on Friday. They were down 13 percent in early afternoon trade. Japan's Transport Ministry has ordered Mitsubishi to submit a full report on its test data within a week, and for other Japanese automakers to also submit fuel economy test data by May 18. (Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu and Chang-Ran Kim; Additional reporting by Ami Miyazaki; Writing by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Ryan Woo and Edwina Gibbs)